Reality Check

"Despereaux squared his shoulders. He had made a decision. He would be brave for the princess. Even if there was no such thing as happily ever after." (DiCamillo, 'The Tale of Despereaux' 2004)

As a kid, I used to love reading and watching fairy tales. I used to beam with happiness whenever Prince Charming comes to the rescue and gets the girl. I used to look forward to the ending because the best part is when the narrator says “…and they lived happily ever after.” But I found that, as I grew older, reality isn’t as charming and happy as those tales made it seem.

No matter how much you want to believe in a fairy god mother, there is none. You’ll have to work your butt off to get what you want because there’s nothing out there that’ll grant you your wishes (I know, because, in some of the darkest moments, I’m ashamed to admit that I tried and it didn’t work).  

We may have a real-life prince, but he’s married, and so are all the other good guys out there. Even then, their married lives aren’t “happily ever after.” Have you seen divorce rates? Crazy.

And what’s left for us single ladies/gentlemen out there? A couple of frogs who’ll just bite you if you try to kiss them.

It’s so easy to give up. To just wallow in depression and self-pity and envy that this world we live in can’t be like the ones in the books we read.

But, what good will that do?

It’s true, we can’t always get what we want but that’s not always a bad thing. You just need to accept the fact that we live in the real world. And in this world, getting your head stuck above the clouds won’t get you anywhere. You can’t put your life on hold, hoping that something better is coming. You just need something to live for or to strive for. If not for someone else, then do it for yourself. Life’s too short to waste on inert wishful thinking. (Yes, I know this post is full of clichés, but you can’t deny the truth behind them.)

If a mouse can be brave… if a mouse can face the unknown unflinchingly… if a mouse can see the Light in the Dark…

Why can’t I?

Why can’t you?